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Dating & Texting: The Etiquette

Dating & Texting: The Etiquette

Texting has brought a whole new set of rules to the dating game and it can make or break a reltionship with one slip of the SMS. Here’s the rules of Dating & Texting: The Etiquette.

1. Stick to the point

Texting is a good way to follow up on a first date to let the person that you are interested in seeing him or her again. However, if the text is too long and you are babbling on about subject matters that has nothing to do with your date, it can be an immediate turn-off.

2. Do not over-text

Keep it low-key to begin with otherwise your behaviour can be interpreted as being desperate. As the relationship progresses, you can slowly increase the frequency of communications in order to plan things together and ultimately to send love messages.

3. Do not expect immediate gratification.

We all lead busy lives. Your love interest will respond when they have time – and of course – only if they want to.

4. Do not take too long to respond.

There are obviously going to be times when you are unable to send an immediate text back to the sender but any longer than a day will imply that you have little interest in that person or that you have them on hold until something better comes along.

5. Texting during a date is simply bad manners

Simples.

6. Do not replace conversation with texting

SMSing should really be kept for transmitting important information like you are running late for your date. However, there is nothing wrong with the odd flirty text to brighten up someone’s hectic work day. 7. Do not send compromising texts or photos

…Or at least until you are in a serious and secure relationship. Think of celebrities who have all been burnt by embarrassing sex tapes that have been made public. It might be on a lesser scale but equally embarrassing if it falls into the hands of friends and family. What’s more, too many steamy or romantic texts make you come across as desperate, needy, and intrusive in a love relationship. Remember that less is more. Further, overly sexual remarks can catch the recipient off-guard (as at work) and compromise or fluster them.

8. Late night texts should be avoided.

Women can often see late night texts as simple booty calls and find them extremely insulting.

9. Breaking up with someone by text is pure and simple bad manners.

It is both cowardly and disrespectful. If at all possible, deliver the bad news in person or at the very least in a phone conversation. The same goes for Facebook, Twitter, email etc…

10. Do not drink and text. Alcohol, that is….

You already know this… You’ve done it. It did not turn out too good, did it?

One extra:

11. Be aware of your tone.

The written word is open to miscommunication. Something that is suppose to be hurmous sarcasm may be interpreted as rude. And the end of any further dates with the recipient.

Dating & Texting: The Etiquette is definitely a new means of courting, bonding, creating emotional connection, and planning dates and activities together. But be careful of how you use SMS, as it is a two-edged sword and can ruin a relationship. The same rules apply to other forms of communication such as online dating.